Magazine for dispensing machines



Nov. 24, 1953 E. H. THOMPSON MAGAZINE FOR DISPENSING MACHINES 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 21, 1950 w A "m 5 Evzsfl 775017505022 Nov.24, 1953 E. H. THOMPSON MAGAZINE FOR DISPENSING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed March 21, 1950 In r/ en 5071' 60 n Quake/u, whiz/s.

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MAGAZINE FOR DISPENSING MACHINES Filed March 21, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Iraest .1 720719115011 ?Mm 9C mmyfflys.

1953 I E. H. THOMPSON MAGAZINE FOR DISPENSING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed March 21 1950 3; fzi/e n for: lrnesz fl 0772 Jon Jflys.

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Tiara p.502; .9 Mm g7" Wi Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTwane OFFICE Claims.

. This invention relates to a magazine for dispensing machines, andparticularly those dispensing machines which dispense a product which ispowdered, granular or the like, directly into a cup and which dischargewater into the cup for dissolving the product.

One object of the invention is to provide a magazine element with acharge forming unit having a discharge valve, and mechanism to seal thedischarge opening of the charge forming unit relative to the magazineafter measuring a quantity of product received in the charge formingunit, whereupon the unit is moved to a discharge position and the chargeof product discharged therefrom.

Another object is to provide a charge forming unit so constructed thatit is non-clogging and non-caking even though used in connection with apowdered product and is so operated that it agitates the powderedmaterial to prevent it from packing in the magazine.

Still another object is to provide for the operation of a charge formingunit by means of a slide, a flap valve being carried thereby andarranged to be quickly opened at the end of the stroke of the slidethereby tending to discharge all of the powdered material carried by thecharge forming unit from the magazine to the cup or other receptaclereceiving the same.

A further object is to provide a magazine unit including a plurality ofmagazine tubes which are readily detachable relative to the frame of themagazine unit and each of which has a readily removable charge formingunit so that such unit can be replaced with a minimum of time andefiort.

Still a further object is to provide a novel means for sealing amagazine tube with respect to atmosphere comprising a flexible dischargespout element connected with the magazine tube at one end and with amovable charge forming unit at its other end, the charge forming unitwhen in a discharge position cooperating with an abutment so that thedischarge spout element is closed by the abutment during the time theflap valve is open and the contents of the magazine tube thereby sealedoff at this time.

An additional object is to provide a charge sizing insert for the chargeforming unit to readily adjust it for a desired size of charge.

Another additional object is to provide a magazine which is adaptablefor a plurality of difierent products in a compact space with themagazine unit capable of being indexed so that the product from anydesired one of themagazine tubes may be dispensed at a dispensingposition.

Further additional objects are to provide an effective sealingarrangement for a plurality of magazine tubes so that they may besimultaneously closed, thus minimizing servicing time; a magazine unitwhich is removable as acomplete unit from the dispensing machine andincludes magazine tubes each of which. is removable together with acharge forming unit carried thereby; and each of which charge formingunits is readily removable and replaceable with respect to itsrespective magazine tube. The arrangement is such as to facilitate therefilling of the magazine tubes and the testing thereof for leakage inaddition to the testing of the charge forming units to see that theyoperate properly, all of which can be accomplished in a few minutes timeby an attendant so that a reasonably large number of dispensing machinesmay be serviced by one attendant.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mymagazine for dispensing machines, whereby the objects contemplated areattained,'as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claimsand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a dispensing machine for beverages andthe like including a magazine embodying my present invention, the casingfor the machine being removed.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the magazine per se.

Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the magazine with the upperportion thereof broken away and the remaining portion shown in sectionas on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-40f Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the magazine per se on ascale. twice that of Figure 4 Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view onthe line 6-6 of Figure 3 with the magazine rotated to a positionpreparatory for dispensing powdered material from a magazine tube into acup.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of one ofthe charge forming units ofFigure 5 showing the parts in a discharging position.

Figure 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View on the line 8-8 ofFigure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 9-9 ofFigure 6.

s Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view similar to the left side ofFigure 6 showing a charge form- 3 ing mechanism in the dischargingposition of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is an enlargement of that portion of Figure 6 within thedotted outline H; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of that portion of Figure 10 within thedotted outline l2.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral I toindicate a base and IS a supporting post extending upwardly therefrom.Aplatform llsurmountsthe post 16 :and suppcrts the various mechanism ofa dispensing machine including the magazine indicated generally at M andembodying my present invention. By way of general environment .-for mydispensing magazine, a selector panel 18 is disclosed-on which a numberof selectorpu'sh buttons and a coin slot l9 are illustrated. A cupdispenser is indicated generally at 2| and one of the cups therefrom isshown at 22 in ajposition adapted to receive the materials for abeverage or thelike. -Water-supply piping 23 is also illustrated forsupplying water to a dischargenozzle 8|, a-hose 24 serving to connectthe piping 23 to the discharge nozzle. The post l8 may con tain heatingmeans for the water but the foregoing elements form no part of mypresent invention. Instead they are disclosed .and claimed inmy-copending application, Serial No. 218.666, filed ,March .31, 1951.

Below the cup 22 a drain 25 is preferably provided for taking care ofany drippings from the cup and for permitting deposit thereof in areceptacle 26 which receptacle may also receive the used cups 22. Cupsmade of paper or fibre are suitable from the standpoint of economy andsanitation as well as disposal without the necessity of washing the cupsas when china cups or the likeare used. Obviously however-china cups canbe used if it .is desirable to eliminate the cup dispenser 2|.

Supporting posts 2-! extend upwardly from the platform I! and asupporting plate 28 is mounted on them as shown in Figure 6. .Asupporting pin 23 is riveted in the plate 28 and extends upwardlytherefrom through a spacer 30 under which is a disc I20 of insulationfor .a purpose disclosed in my copending application above referred to.

My magazine unit M will now be described. It includes a disc-like baseplate 3| having a depending flange 39 at its periphery which iscorrugated as brought out in Figure 4 so as to have semi-circular seatsfor magazine tubes 38 adjacent their lower ends. The base plate 3| has adownwardly depressed portion 32 perforated to surround the supportingpin 29 anda centraltube 33 also surrounds this pin and is secured as byweldin to the depressed portion 32 of the base plate 3|. A spider-likebrace 34 is also provided for rigidly fixing the central tube 33 atright an les to the base plate.

At the top of the central tube 33, a top plate 351s provided (see Figure3) which is similar to the plate 3| but inverted relative thereto, be-

ing provided with an upwardly depressed portion 36. secured to t upperend of the tube 33 and braced by a spider-like brace 31. The plate 35has an upwardly extending corrugated flange 40 for seating the magazinetubes 38 adjacent their upper-ends.

The magazine tubes 38 are removable and thus renewablewhen required withrespectto the base plate 3| and the top plate 35. This is accomplishedby means of two strap-like hoops 4| adjacent the lower end of each ofthe tubes 38 4 and similar hooks 42 adjacent their upper ends. Referringto Figure 4, the lower left hand tube 38 has its hooks 4| cut in sectionto illustrate openings 43 in the base plate 3| to receive the hooks. Thehooks 42 at the upper ends are similarly received in openings of the topplate 35 after the hoops 42 are hooked over the flanges 40. Havingdescribed how the magazine tubes 38 are mounted, I will now describe acharge forming unit removably positioned in the lower end of eachmagazine tube. These charge forming units are described by referencenumerals 44 to 13in which 44 is the bottom of a channel shaped support.Thissupport as shown in Figure 9 has side flanges 45 which, asillustrated in Figure -6,*are somewhat narrower than the diameter ofthe. tube 38 and rounded at their upper ends.

The channel "shaped support 44 further includes arsubstantiallyrectangular discharge spout 46 formed of downwardly extending flanges ofthe bottom member .44 and a top-element 4'! engaged against the lowerend .of the outer lower edge of the magazine tube 38.

To secure each charge forming unit in the lower end of .itsmagazine tube38, I provide bosses 48 on the flanges 45 as shown in Figure 9 intowhich screws 49 are threaded after passing through slots 50 of the tube38 and through a sleeve 5| which forms part of the charge .forming unit,the sleeve being permanently secured to the bosses 48 as by welding orsoldering. The slots Eli are open at their lower ends so that the screws49 can be loosened to permit the entire charge forming unit to beremoved from the magazine tube after the tube has been removed from itssupported position so that the charge forming unit can be repaired .orreplaced if desired or necessary.

The upper end of the sleeve5| has an inwardly extending flange 52 whichis shown as a wire ring soldered to the sleeve to serve as a support aswill hereinafter appear.

Each charge forming unit includes a charge forming slide comprisingelements 53 to 10 which will now be described. A channel shaped slide isshown in Figure 9 having a web 53 and flanges 54. A 'D-shaped flangedopening 55 is provided in the charge forming slide 53-54, the flangeextending upwardly as illustrated. Referring to Figure 10, the web 53extends from the flanged opening 55 inwardly toward the center of themagazine and has a slide plate 56 secured to its bottom surface by astud 51 and a roller stud 58. A roller 59 is journalled on the stud 58and both studs Hand 58 are retained in assembled position on the web 53and the plate 56 by nuts 68.

The studs 51 and 58 have shouldered portions slidable in a slot 6| ofthe bottom 44 of the channel shaped support of the charge forming unitas shown in Figures 6 and '7 so that the charge forming slide 53-54 canbe moved as from the normal position of Figure 6 to the dischargingposition of Figure 10.

A resilient band 62 surrounds the D-shaped flanged opening 55 of thecharge forming slide and the lower end of a flexible discharge spoutelement 63 surrounds the resilient band. The discharge spout element 63is tubular in character being provided at its upper end with a bead 64to rest on the upper end of the sleeve 5| and the flange 52 as shown inFigure 9. The bead 64 is slightly larger than the internal diameter ofthe magazine tube 38 to provide a seal between the spout element and thetube.

The spout element is made of very thin rubber,:neoprene, or similarmaterial and the resilient band 62 serves to reinforce it around theflanged opening 55, the parts being held in sealed relationship by ametal clamp band 65 and a clamp bolt 66 as shown in Figure 8. Within theD-shaped opening 55, a charge sizing element II3 islocated and this mayalso be made of rubber, neoprene or the like, the sizing element beingthus readily removable so that one of a different size can be insertedfor providing a larger or smaller charge of material as will be apparentlater on in my description.

, A flap valve 61 is provided for the lower end of the D-shaped opening55 and it is faced with a combination gasket and hinge element 69 whichis shown stippled in Figures 5 and '7. The right hand margin of thehinge 69 is secured to the bottom of the plate 56 as by cement. Theradially inner end of the flap valve 31 terminates in a pair ofprojections or actuating flanges 68 adapted to travel in slots I3 of thebottom plate 44 of the charge forming unit 44-45. A membrane I6 issecured to the upper surface of the gasket 69 and passes up between theflange 55 of the D-shaped opening and the charge sizing element I I3 asshown in Figure 12 to seal off any crack between the flange 55 and thegasket 69 in g which powdered material might cake and cause improperoperation of the flap valve.

Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 10, the flanges 45 carry a pin II on whichan abutment in the form of a roller I2 is mounted to seal ofi thecharge, forming unit 44-45 from the magazine tube at the time theproduct is discharged from the charge forming unit as will hereinafterappear.

Under all the magazine tubes 38 as shown in Figure 4, a catch plate I4is provided having an upwardly extending flange 15 around its peripheryand a discharge opening I6 through which the product is discharge dfromthe charge forming unit to the cup 22 as shown in Figure 10.

Referring to Figure 1, the cup 22 is placed on a cup supporting plate I!which in turn is supported by posts I8 extending upwardly from theplatform I! and located in front of the posts 21 in Figure 1. Cup guardsI9 are provided adjacent the sides and top of the cup and the top guardis provided with an opening H4 through which the product 82 from themagazine tubes 38 is discharged along with the water from the nozzle 8I. A splash guard 80 is mounted back of the nozzle and this guard isshown by dot-anddash lines in Figures 3 and 4 to show its location. Anywater that is splashed from the cup 22 as it is discharged from thenozzle BI is thus kept from splashing on to the two adjacent magazinetubes 38 and their charge forming units. As disclosed, there are eighttubes which are 36 apart with two omitted at the front so that they arewell away from the cup position. During operation as disclosed in mycopending application, a selected one of the tubes is rotated to aposition over the cup for discharge of a charge of product therefrom andthe assembly of tubes is then rotated to the position of Figure 4 beforethe water is discharged into the cup.

A cover is provided for the magazine tubes comprising a cover plate 83circular in outline as shown in Figure 2 and having a depending flange II5 passing around the outer surface of the tubes (see Figure 3). Thisplate is lined with a gasket 84 and a wax paper cover for the gasket maybe provided as indicated at 85 if desired. A reinforcing disc 86 isprovided for the cover plate 83 and it also has a depending flange I I6which may be soldered to the plate 83 with a spacer washer 81 interposedbetween the two at the center. The assembly of plate 83 and disc 86 areheld in position on the upper ends of the magazine tubes 38 by means ofa stud 88 secured in the upper end of the central tube 33 by a pin 89.The stud has a threaded extension 90 on which a wing nut 9| is screwed.A plurality of projections II'I serve as supporting legs and the centraltube 33 serves as a'handle during servicing operations when the magazineM is removed from the supporting pin 29 and inverted.

During the automatic operation of the dispensing machine as described inmy copending application, the magazine tubes 38 are properly indexed inaccordance with one of the selector buttons 28 depressed by thecustomer. The indexing means forms no part of my present invention but Iwill describe briefly the drive for accomplishing the indexing.

Referring to Figure 6, a ring gear 92 is rotatably mounted on thesupporting plate 28 by means of a plurality of spool-like rollers H9shown in Figure 3. A pinion 93 is provided for driving the ring gear andthis pinion is mounted on a shaft 94 with which a suitable drive meansmay be connected such as shown in my copending application.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the manner of connecting the magazine M tothe ring gear 92 for rotation therewith comprises a connecting hook I98adapted to coact with a pin I09 carried by the ring gear. 'The hook I98is secured to a short rock shaft H0 that is journalled in the magazinebase plate 3| and a spring III tends to engage the hook with the pin. Arod-like lever IIZ extends from the rock shaft III! above the plate 3Ito be engaged by the attendant servicing the machine for swinging thehook against the action of the spring to unhook it from the pin. Theentire magazine may then be readily lifted by the attendant from thesupporting pin 29 by grasping the central tube 33 after passing his handthrough the space between the two lower magazine tubes in Figure 4.

For driving the charge forming units, I provide a slide 95 best shown inFigure 6 having one end extending through a suitable slot in a bracket96 and its other end slotted as at 97 to coact with a roller 93. Theroller 98 is mounted on a bracket 99 extending downwardly from thesupporting plate 28 and the bracket has an upturned flange H8 to retainthe slide plate 95 in position. The slide plate has a vertical extensionabove the slot 9'! terminating in a horizontal flange IEJI provided withan upturned finger I02 adapted to coact with the roller 59Vand the stud5'! of any charge forming unit registered therewith.

A bracket I63 is secured to the slide 95 and carries a discharge rollerI64 and a return roller I95. A cam Hit coacts with these rollers forreciprocating the slide 95 and is mounted on a drive shaft is? which isdriven in any suitable manner and at the proper time as also disclosedin my copending application. The cam I06 is of the type having a suddendrop to permit a spring I22 connected between the stud I2I on which theroller 98 is mounted and a stationary stud I25 to drive the slide 95quickly in the charge discharging direction.

Practical operation I will first describe the operation of one of theeharge'forming They, of course, are all alike and the one that doesoperate during a given dispensing cycle depends upon the indexedposition of the magazine "unit M at the time of operation. Referring toFigure 6, the left magazine tube 38 may be any one of the eight tubeshas been rotated to the cup opening 16 of Figure 4 by rotation of theshaft 84 and through thepinion 93, the ring gear- 92, and the hook andpin connection Ilia-H19, rotation of the entire magazine unit iseffected.

--A;fter the magazine is indexed in the manner just described as aresult of pushing a selected one of the push buttons 2|! in Figure l asmore fully disclosed in my copending application, the left hand chargeforming unit in Figure 6 is ready for operation. It will be noted thatthe fiapvalve 67 is closed so as to retain the powdered material 82 orother product against discharge. As shown more clearly in Figure 11,closure is effected by the flap valve riding on the bottom 44 of thecharge forming malt and the spacing of the parts is such that the flapvalve is tight against the gasket and hinge element 69 and in factpresses it so tightly against the bottom of the flanged opening 55 thatthe edge of the gasket is somewhat flexed out of its original plane thusforming an effective air tight seal. The flap valve is also somewhatsmaller than the size of the flanged opening as also shown in Figure 9'in order to contribute to this desirable result.

The stud 57 and the roller 55 of the left hand charge forming unit inFigure 6 is in position to be actuated by the cam I on the shaft if, asit is only when a magazine tube 38 is at the position or the cup opening16 that its stud and the roller are in alignment with the flange H32 ofthe slide 95 to be actuated thereby.

When the shaft l0! rotates, the cam Hi6 will rotate slightly to releasethe slide 95 which is then driven by the spring I22 toward the left andthis moves the slide plate 55 quickly from the position of Figures 6 and11 to the position of Figures and 12.

The first movement toward the left causes the right side of thedischarge spout element 63 to approach the left side as the left side isheld by the roller 12. Finally, the right side touches the left side asin Figure 10 and thereafter further movement stretches the dischargespout element and draws it around the roller to the final positionillustrated in Figures 10 and 12. The first contact of the right side ofthe discharge tube with the left side cuts off the interior of themagazine tube with respect to the interior of the charge sizing elementH3 in an air-tight manner so that no air from the charge forming unitwhen it is opened will get back into the magazine tube. 1 find this avery effective mechanism for accomplishing the desired sealing results.

Adjacent the end of the spring propelled travel of the slide plate 58 ina left hand direction, the actuating flanges 68 which have heretoforefreely traveled in the slots 13 of the bottom plate 44 of the chargeforming unit will engage an abutment comprising the radially innerflange of the discharge spout 46 which is indicated as 46a in Figure 12and this quickly throws the flap valve 61 to the open positionillustrated in Figure 10 for discharging a charge of the productindicated as 82a therein.

The quick opening of the flap valve permits the charge of product to berapidly discharged with asomewhat violent.- action of. the na valve to'shake any loose particles therefrom. Likewise when the cam Hi6 returnsthe slide to its original position of Figure 6, the first movement is aslamming shut of the flap valve due to the valve riding over the flange46a of Figure 12 and this flange thereby closing the valve quickly afterwhich it is retained closed by the plate 44 as in Figure 11 during therest of the return stroke and during the next forward stroke until theactuating flanges 68 again strike the flange 46a.

After the slide 95 has returned to the position of Figure 6, then themagazine unit is indexed around to the original position of Figure 4whereupon a charge of hot water or the like is discharged from thenozzle 8! into the cup 22 to dissolve the charge of powdered product 82therein, all as more fully disclosed in my copendi-ng application.

With respect to constructional features of the charge forming unit, itwill be noted that the flanges of the flanged opening 55 terminatesomewhat below the upper edges of the charge sizing unit H3 and theresilient band 62 as shown in figures 11 and 12. Thus the charge sizingunit and the resilient band protect the relatively thin discharge spoutelement from contact with metal that might chafe or puncture it.

The siding element I I3 being in the form of an insert can be readilyremoved and replaced with one of more or less internal size depending onthe product being dispensed from a specific magazine tube. Since theinsert is of resilient material, it can be merely slipped in or out asdesired, this being accomplished after removal of the entire chargeforming unit by loosening the screws 49 while the magazine tube ofcourse is removed from its supported position in them'agazine unit. Thisarrangement also permits ready replacement of any charge forming unitthat is operating improperly so that the attendant can quickly checkeach unit as to its operation and replace any if necessary in a minimumof time.

I have omitted all reference to a casing for the magazine unit M andother mechanism such as the cup dispenser 2| and the piping 23. Inactual practice, of course, such a casing would be provided but forms nopart of my presently claimed invention.

The magazine unit is readily serviced by an attendant in the followingdisclosed manner. First, the cover plate 83 is removed after removingthe wing nut ill. The individual tubes 38 may then be refilled with theappropriate products 82. The lever l [2 of Figure 4 is then rotatedclockwise against the action of the spring HI to unhook the hook 08 fromthe pin I09. The magazine unit is then free to rotate to any desiredposition for filling or removing individual magazine tubes or forremoving the entire magazine unit itself.

After the unit is removed, it may be inverted and rest on the four legsI I? on any suitable supporting surface such as a floor or table. Thiscauses the product in the various tubes to settle away from the chargeforming units and they can be individually manually operated todetermine if they are operating properly. Any that are not can bereadily removed, inspected and replaced after any trouble has beenremedied or a new properly operating unit can be substituted.

The inversion of the magazine unit also serves to indicate to theattendant whether or not the cover plate 83 is properly installed withall magazine tubes sealed at the top against entrance of air since anyleakage of powder at that time can be detected. If there is no leakagethen the magazine unit can be turned right-side-up and replaced if theattendant is sure that all the charge forming units are operatingproperly.

From the foregoing specification, it is obvious that I have provided amagazine unit for dispensers which is so designed as to dispense theproduct directly into a cup from which the beverage is drunk. Themagazine tubes are sealed against moisture which is detrimental to manypowdered products such as powdered coffee and powdered tea and the topsoi the magazine tubes are sealed by the gasket 84 whereas the lower endsare sealed at all times by either the flap valves being closed or thedischarge spout elements 63 assuming the position shown in Figure whenthe flap valves open. These discharge spout elements are of suchcharacter that, during operation, they agitate the product in themagazine tubes to prevent it from packing and therefore being improperlyfed to the charge forming units.

The charge forming units are readily accessible for cleaning when themagazine unit is removed and inverted and this unit may be readilyremoved for inspection and periodic cleaning. The charge forming unitsare individually interchangeable and readily replaceable. They are alsoreadily adjustable for the quantity of a particular product that shouldbe dispensed for one cup of beverage by the use of the charge sizinginserts H3.

The resulting arrangement makes the entire dispenser capable of quickand sanitary servicing because of the readily demountable featuresdescribed in the foregoing specification.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of theparts of my magazine for dispensing machines, without departing from thereal spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to coverby my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanicalequivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

' Iclaim as my invention:

1. In a magazine for dispensing machines, a magazine tube adapted tocontain a powdered product or the like, a charge forming unit adjacentthe lower end of said magazine tube, said charge forming unit comprisinga movable element having a receptacle to receive a charge of productfrom said magazine tube, a valve for normally closing-the bottom of saidreceptacle, a flexible tube connecting said magazine tube and saidreceptacle, said charge forming unit'being movable from one positionwherein said recep tacle is open throughsaid flexible tube to saidmagazine tube, to another position whereit is offset relative thereto,an abutment engaging said flexible tube for closing-the "sides thereofagainst each other as said chargeforming unit is moved to said offsetposition, and means for opening saidvalve after said flexible tube sideshave contacted each other.

2. ,A magazine of the character disclosed comprising a receptacle forpowdered product or the like, a charge forming unit for saidreceptaclecomprising an element movable relative to-said receptacle and having acharge receiving pocket,

a valve normally closing said pocket, a flexible re.- silient tubeproviding a' moisture proof sea-led connection between said pocket andsaidreceptacle, an abutment adjacent said tuba-"said charge forming unitbeing movable from one position with said pocket open through saidconnection to said receptacle, to another position where it is offsetrelative thereto, an abutment gaging ,said abutment as said pocket movesto said another position and the opposite sides of said tube beingthereby in contact, and means for opening said valve quickly at the endof the movement of said charge forming unit to said another position andclosing it quickly at the beginning of the movement in the reverse direction.

3. In a magazine structure, a magazine tube, a charge forming unitconnected with the lower end of said magazine tube, said charge forming,

unit comprising a movable element having a receptacle to receive acharge of product from said magazine tube, a flap valve for normallyclosing the bottom of said receptacle, a flexible resilient tubularconnection between said, magazine tube and said receptacle, said chargeforming unit being movable from one position wherein said receptacle 'isopen through said flexible connection to said magazine tube, to anotherposition where it is ofiset relative thereto, an abutment engaging saidflexible'connection for closing the sides thereof against each otherwhen said charge forming unit is in said another position, and means foropening said flap valve at the end of the movement of said chargeforming unit to said another position and closing it at the beginning ofits return movement.

4. In a magazine for dispensing machines, a magazine tubeya chargeforming unit adjacent the lower end of said magazine tube and comprisinga slide plate having a receptacle to receive a charge of product fromsaid magazine tube, a valve normally closing said receptacle, a flexibletube connecting said magazine tube and said receptacle, said slide platebeing movablefrom one position wherein said receptacle is open throughsaid flexible tube to said magazine tube, to another position where itis ofiset relative thereto, means engaging said flexible tube forclosing the sides thereof against each other when said slide plate is insaid offset position, and cam means for moving said slide plate, saidvalve being hingedly connected to said slide plate and provided with anactuating flange adjacent the hinge connection, said charge forming unitincluding a stationary element with which said actuating flange engagesadjacent the end of the movement of said slide plate to dischargingposition for opening said valve and having a stationary plate engagingsaid valve to retain it closed in all other positions thereof;

'-5. In a magazine of the character disclosed, a magazine tube adaptedto contain'powdered or granular product, a charge forming unit detach.-

ably connected with the lower end of said magazine tube, said chargeforming unit comprising v a slide plate having a receptacleior a chargeof product from said magazine tube, aflap valve hinged to said slideplate for normally closing 'said receptacle, a flexible connection toconduct the product from saidfmagazine tube to'said receptacle, saidslide plate being movable from one position wherein said'receptacle isopen'through said flexible connection to said magazine tube,

to another position where his offset therefrom, an abutment engagingsaidjflexible connection from adjacent its hinge, and said chargeforming unit including a stationary element with which said projectionengages adjacent the end of the movement of said slide plate todischargin posi tion for opening said flap valve.

6. In a magazine of the character disclosed, a magazine tube adapted tocontain powdered or granular product, a charge forming unit, said chargeforming unit comprising a slide plate having a receptacle for a chargeof product from said magazine tube, a valve hinged to said slide platefor normally closing said receptacle, 3, flexible resilient tubeproviding a moisture-proof sealed connection to conduct the DIDduct fromsa m zine tube to said receptacle, s d slide plate being movable fromone position wh rein said receptacle is open through said tube to saidmagazine tube, to another position where it is offset therefrom, asupporting platefor said valve when in said one position, saidsupporting plate terminating short of said valve when in said anotherposition, said valve having a projection therefrom adjac t ts hin e, andsa d sup o tin plate including a stationary element with which said p oection e a es adjac nt the end o he movement of said slide plate todischarging position for openin said valve.

7. In combination, a magazine tube dap ed to contain a powdered productor the like, a h r f rmin ni for s ch produ t com risin a movable el mnt hav n a receptac to r ceive a char e of the pro uct, a a ve pla e hain a gasket normall c osin sa d re eptacle, a d charge i rmine unit einmo b e fro one pos ti n wherein t rece e ro uct from sa d r ceptacle toanoth r position for di char e of the product from said receptacle, saidcharge forming unit comprising a slide plate to which aid v ve plate ishinsed y conn cted by a ortion of said asket nd thereby mo abl with saidreceptacle, said valve plate, having an actuating flange adjacent thehinge connection, said charge m n unit includin a stationar element withwhich said actuating flange ena es a ja ent t eend of the mo ement o idslide plate and receptac e o dischar in position f ope sa ve plate andhavinsa supporting plate engaging with said valve plate and arrangedparallel to its plane of movement to retain it closed in all otherpositions thereof,

8, In a dispensing machine of the character disclosed, a magazine tubeadapted to contain powdered, granulated or similar product, a char eforming unit detachably connected with the lower end thereof andcomprising a frame having a discharge opening and a frame plat adjacentsaid opening and in a plane, parallel thereto, said charge forming unit,including a slide plate engaging and slidable along the surface of saidframe plate and provided with a recep tacle to receive the product fromsaid magazine tube, a flap valve hinged to said slide plate and therebymovable with said receptaclefsaid flap valve normally closing saidreceptacle and normally sliding on said frame plate and having 9. a. disensin machine oi the c ar c e disclosed, a magazine tube, a chargeforming unit comprising a frame having a discharge opening and a frameplate adjacent said open,- ing, said charge forming unit including aslide plate slidable on said frame plate and provided with a receptaclethereabove to receive the prod.- uct from said magazine tube, a flapvalve hinged to said slide plate and normally. closing the lower end ofsaid receptacle, said flap valve normally sliding on said frame plateand having an actuating flange along the hinged edge thereof extendingthrough a slot thereof, and means for eiiecting sliding of said slideplate relative to said frame plate from a position in alignment withsaid magazine tube to a position offset therefrom, said flap valve beingpositively opened adjacent the end of the stroke of said slide plate todischarge position by enga ement of said actuating flange with astationary abutment of aid f ame plate.

10, In a dispensing magazine, a magazine tube adapted to containpowdered, granulated or elm.- ilar product, a charge forming unitcomprising a frame having a discharge opening and a horizontal frameplate adjacent said opening, said charge forming unit including a slideplate slide ably engaged with said frame plate and provided with areceptacle thereabove to receive the prodo fr s id ma zine ime. a flapva ve norma y c n he lowe end of said receptacle, a d fl n a e n r a ael n o said frame Pl a ta ne cl sed the eby said flapvalve havin a ongits, ear e ge n ac ua n fl n e extending through a slot of said frameplate, mean o f e s id ng f said slide p a e relve o said am lat iron; aposition in nmen wi h said ma azine tube to a position fis eref om. a dflap al e be n quickly op ed a jacent the end of, t e stroke of said i eplate to i harge position by en a ement o s d a atin dance with theforward end of said slot of said frame plate, a support for s agaz n ubadapted to have a plurality of the magazine tubes removably supportedthereon, and a single cover plate for said plue rality of tubes providedwith a single gasket to span all f th ir p er ends and sea each. f t mgains ent ance of; m isture there o, a h o said m zine tub s havinone-of said char e rming nit co n cted t erewith. 7

ll- In. a s d spens n magazine, a magazine ub .v a char e forming unittherefor includin a s de plate pro ded with a recept c to, m ceive theproduct f-iomsaid magazine tubeand a lien alve for said receptacle, anindexahle S pport. for said ma azine tube adapted to. have a plu alityof the tubes, removably. supported thereon-and providingfor thepositioning of said su port with a pred term ned one of aid mags netubes a dischar e p sition. aoomincn, cover plate, for said plnralityoftubes provided provided ith a receptac e to recei e helproduct rom aidagazine tube, a flap l e norma ly closing said receptacle, a flexib e.resi ent tubular conn c ion etween sa d r cep acle and. sa d maga intube fo directi sthe pro uct from;

the tube to the receptacle, an abutment adjacent said flexible resilienttube, said slide plate when in a discharging position drawing saidresilient tube across said abutment for closing the sides thereoftogether to seal the interior of the magazine tube with respect to saidreceptacle, and means for opening said flap valve adjacent the end ofthe stroke of said slide plate to said discharging position.

13. In a magazine for dispensing machines, magazine tubes, supportingelements having seats for said magazine tubes, hook elements on saidtubes for engaging said support to hold said tubes in supported positionthereon, a single cover plate for the upper ends of all said tubes,means for drawing said cover plate toward said supporting elements tothereby tighten said cover plate against the tubes, and a removablecharge forming unit connected with the lower end of each magazine tubeand comprising a frame member including a frame plate having a dischargeopening therein, a slide plate slidable on said frame plate and having areceptacle open at the top, a flap valve for closing the bottom thereof,said flap valve being adapted for sliding on said first plate, aresilient flexible tube having its upper end sealed in said magazinetube and its lower end sealed to said receptacle, an abutment adjacentthe side of said resilient tube above said receptacle, said receptaclebeing movable under the abutment for closing the sides of said resilienttube due to engagement of the tube with the abutment when the receptacleis offset from the magazine tube, means for propelling said slide plateto the offset position with said flap valve in said discharge opening,said flap valve having a, projection engageable with said frame platefor opening the valve at that time, said frame plate reclosing the valvewhen the slide plate travels in the opposite direction, and means forhinging said flap valve to said slide plate comprising a combined gasketand hinging element of resilient material, said flap valve beingslightly smaller than said receptacle to bend the edge of said gasketinto the receptacle in the closed position of the valve.

14. In a magazine for dispensing machines, magazine tubes, supportingelements having seats for said magazine tubes, a single cover plate forthe upper ends of all said tubes, means for drawing said coverplatetoward said supporting elements to thereby tighten said cover plateagainst the tubes, and a removable charge forming urut connected withthe lower end of each magazine tube and comprising a frame memberincluding a frame plate having a discharge opening therein, a slideplate slidable on said frame plate and having a receptacle open. at thetop, a flap valve for closing the bottom thereof, said flap valve beingadapted for sliding on said first plate, a flexible tube having itsupper end sealed in said magazine tube and its lower end sealed to sa1dreceptacle, an abutment adjacent the side of said resilient tube abovesaid receptacle, said receptacle being movable under the abutment forclosing the sides of said resilient tube due to engagement of the tubewith the abutment when the receptacle is offset from the magazine tube,and means for propelling said slide plate to the offset position withsaid flap valve in sa1d, d1scharge opening, said flap valve having aprojection engageablewith said frame plate for opening the valve at thattime, said frame plate reclosing thevalve when the slide plate travelsin the opposite direction.

' jection engageable with said first channel-shaped forming unitremovably connected with the lower I4 I 15. In a magazine for dispensingmachines, a support for a plurality of magazine tubes which areremovably mounted on said support, a cover plate for the upper ends ofsaid tubes, means for tightening said cover plate against the tubes,said means being connected with said support, and a charge forming unitconnected with each magazine tube and comprising a slide plate having areceptacle open at the top, a flap valve for closing the bottom thereof,a resilient flexible tube having its upper end sealed in said magazinetube and its lower end sealed to said receptacle, an abutment adjacentthe side of said resilient tube above said receptacle, said receptaclebeing movable under the abutment to a position offset from said magazinetube for closing the sides of said resilient tube, means for propellingsaid slide plate to the offset position, and said flapvalve having aprojection engageable with a stationary element for opening the valve atthat time.

16. In a magazine for dispensing machines, a magazine supporting elementhaving seats for the opposite ends of magazine tubes, hook means forsupporting said tubes in position thereon, a common cover plate for theupper ends of-said tubes, means for tightening said cover plate insealed relation to all of the tubes, and a removable charge formingunitconnected with the lower end of each magazine tube and comprising aslide plate provided with a receptacle to receive the product from saidmagazine tube, and a flap valve normally closing said receptacle, aflexible connection between said receptacle and said magazine tube fordirecting the product from the tube to the receptacle, an abutmentadjacent said flexible connection, said slide plate when in a dischargeposition drawing said flexible connection across said abutment forclosing the sides thereof together to seal the interior of the magazinetube with respect to said receptacle, and means for opening said flapvalve adjacent the end of the stroke of said slide plate to dischargeposition.

17. In a magazine for dispensers and the like, a magazine tube adaptedto contain powdered material or the like, a charge forming unit for thelower end thereof and comprising a pair of channel-shaped members, thefirst channelshaped member being stationary relative to the magazinetube and the second one slidable in relation thereto, said secondchannel-shaped member having a flanged opening, a flexible resilienttube flared outwardly at its upper end, said upper end being sealed insaid magazine tube and its lower end being sealed around said flangedopening, said second channel-shaped member being slidable from apositionwith said flanged opening in alignment with said magazine to aposition offset therefrom, an abutment carried by said firstchannel-shaped member for said resilient to said flanged opening, saidsecond channelshaped member carrying a flap valve forsaid flangedopening, said flap valve having a promember for effecting opening ofsaid flap valve at the-end of the, stroke of said second channelshapedmember to discharge position.

18. In combination, a magazine tube, a charge s end thereof andcomprising a pair of channelshaped members, one slidable within theother,

the slidable channel-shaped member having a 15 flan ed openin a flexibleresilien tube from said magazine tube to said flanged opening, meanscarried by said first channel-shaped member for said resilient tube toengage for closing the sides of said resilient tube together for sealingsaid magazine relative to said flanged opening, said secondchannel-shaped member carrying a nap valve. for said flanged opening.and means for opening, said flap valve at the end only of the stroke ofsaid second channel-shaped member. to discharge position.

19. In a magazine for dispensers and the like, a magazine tube adaptedto contain powdered or similar material, a charge forming unitcomprising a pair of channel-shaped members, the first channel-shapedmember being stationary relative to the magazine tube and the. secondone slidable in relation thereto, said second channel-shaped memberhaving a charge carrying pocket, a flexible resilient tube sealed at itsupper end in said magazine tube and at its lower end to said pocket,said slide plate being slidable from aposition with said pocket inalignment with said magazine to a position ofiset therefrom, an abutmentcarried by said first channel-shaped member for said resilient tube toengage during such sliding movement, and valve carried by said secondchannelshaped member for said pocket which is operable to the openposition only at the end of the stroke of said second channel-shapedmember to discharge position.

20. In a dispens n ma azine i the character disclosed, a magazine tube,a charge forming unit detachably connected with the lower end'thereofand comprising a frame having a discharge opening and a slide plateprovided with a receptacle to receive the product from said magazinetube, a flap valve normally closing said receptacle, a flexibleresilient tube extending from said. receptacle to said magazine tube fordirecting the product from the tube to the receptacle, said receptaclehaving a removable sizing insert, an abutment adjacent. said flexibleresilient tube, said slide plate when in an oifset positionrelative tosaid magazine tube drawing said resilient. tube around said abutment forclosing the sides of the resilient tube to seal the interior of themagazine tube with respect to said receptacle, and means for quicklyopening said flap valve adjacent the end of the stroke of said slideplate to said offset position.

ERNEST H. THOMPSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 533,834 Wind Feb. 5', 1895 981,707 Spencer Jan. 17, 19112,558,522 Knapp June 26, 1951

